About

Dr. White is an HIV health service researcher and a practicing infectious disease physician. Dr. White uses her “real world” clinical experience to inform her research. Her research focuses on the dynamic interface between public health and medicine. She was one of the leading physicians who described the association between the release of HIV-infected prisoners and the subsequent deleterious effect (increase) on their viral loads. This connection continues to have significant HIV-transmission and health outcome implications for at-risk populations in the community as well as released prisoners. Furthermore, along with others, she conducted the first randomized controlled trial of directly observed antiretroviral therapy vs. self-administered antiretroviral therapy in a state prison system. She also has participated in the implementation of the first ever HIV-opt out screening in the North Carolina state prison system. She is now expanding her research focus on the HIV at risk community, and her research interests span from HIV screening/testing to access and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in underserved populations. Her clinical interests include treatment of HIV infection and syphilis. She invites anyone interested in joining her research team to contact her.

Awards and Honors

• Adaora Adimora Citation Award – For Exemplary Contributions to Ending the HIV epidemic. ID Week, October 2025

In the news

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  ID Researchers Contribute to ID Week Conference

  This year’s ID Week will take place October 19-22, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. ID Week is the joint annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the HIV Medicine Association, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Following is a list of … Read more

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  White Receives HIVMA’s 2025 Ada Adimora Citation Award

  The HIV Medical Association (HIVMA) has selected Becky White, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, to receive the 2025 Ada Adimora Citation Award for her leadership in improving HIV care and reducing health disparities for incarcerated women with HIV. The Adaora Adimora Citation Award honors the late Adaora Adimora, … Read more

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  UNC’s Long History of Service to North Carolina’s Prison Population: A New HIV Program Focuses On Post-Release

  For more than two decades, UNC’s infectious disease specialists have provided HIV care to incarcerated individuals across North Carolina’s prison system. Dr. Becky White is the director of UNC Infectious Diseases and HIV Services in the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections. Dr. Lina Rosengren-Hovee is the associate director. In the following, Dr. White explains how HIV … Read more

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  Federal Funding Award Will Enhance HIV Prevention for Formerly Incarcerated African American Women

  African American women in the criminal justice system face a heightened risk of acquiring HIV, particularly during the critical transition from incarceration to the community. Despite this, many lack access to essential prevention services and effective treatments like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Becky White, MD MPH, an infectious disease physician and member of the UNC Institute … Read more

Education